'Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back

By Joseph Gelmis | STAFF WRITER

May 18, 1980

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) carries the Jedi master Yoda on his back while undergoing his Jedi training in a scene from "The Empire Strikes Back." (Lucasfilm LTD.)

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. (PG) First of a projected half-dozen or more "Star Wars" sequels. Exciting further adventures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, et al, are fun, though exhausting, a rambling series of episodes. The special effects are, again, outstanding. Major disappointment is the cliff-hanger ending that won't be concluded until next sequel, in a couple of years. Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams.

"Star Wars," the reigning box office champion, is a tough act to follow. "The Empire Strikes Back," at Loew's Nassau Quad in Levittown and RKO's Lawrence Theater, is a good sequel to its illustrious predecessor, though it does have problems.

Two hours of dazzling, non-stop action episodes, pitched at roughly the same level of intensity, lack a carefully structured, cumulative dramatic momentum. And the episodes simply stop, rather than end, without a payoff. Busy setting up future sequels, "The Empire Strikes Back" makes the mistake of deferring the emotional satisfaction of a film complete in itself with its to-be-continued cliff-hanger ending.

The original cast of "Star Wars" has been re-assembled. Even Alec Guinness, as the ghost of Obi-Wan Kenobi, inexplicably reappears several times, uncomfortably haunting the film like an undigested figment of the screenplay that nobody figured out how to integrate into the action.

Darth Vader again the sinister combination of James Earle Jones' resonating baritone voice and the muscular armored hulk of David Prowse returns to lead an attack on the rebels' new secret base, on an ice planet. Filmed in Norway, the spectacular battle sequences, with special-effects walking war machines pitted against ground troops and fighter craft, are themselves worth the price of admission.

It would be presumptuous to suggest that the sequel should, like the original, have concluded with such a rousing battle. It might have been criticized as following a formula if it did. But, now, the action highlight of "Empire" comes in the first half-hour.

The pacing and style of the new film differ from the original for several reasons. The most important difference is that George Lucas, who conceived, wrote and directed "Star Wars," has implemented his announced plan to assign a new director for each sequel. Lucas wrote the story on which "The Empire Strikes Back" screenplay is based and served as executive producer. His collaborator, Gary Kurtz, provides technical continuity as line producer. But the new film was directed by Irvin Kershner.

The love-hate relationship of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) has matured into unexpectedly sophisticated Clark Gable/Claudette Colbert-style romantic comedy sparring, the heart of the sequel. The Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) laser sword duels with Darth Vader (arguably, one duel would have been sufficient) explore darker subconscious territory than in the original. There's a marvelous, Hobbit-like creature on a jungle planet, where Skywalker is further tutored in the mysteries of The Force. There are fabulous beasts on the ice planet steeds that gallop on their two hind legs, and a ferocious snow monster that preys on men. The two comic relief robots, Artoo-Detoo and See-Threepio, and Solo's sidekick Chewbacca have prominent roles. Billy Dee Williams has a small part as the maverick chieftain of a city in the sky.

Ultimately, carping about "The Empire Strikes Back" is pointless. Compared to the recent competition such as "Star Trek" and "The Black Hole" "Empire" is in a class by itself as space operate entertainment for kids of all ages. It's a handsome, slick, humorous, imaginative adventure epic.

E-mail

Reprint

'Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back

Popular stories

Hampton Roads Facts, Data and Statistics

Blogs